The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for aplastic anemia was denied, and the Board found that it was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to December 18, 2018, that his condition had increased in severity.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the Veteran's reports of continued need for frequent blood transfusions after 2013, and there is no medical evidence showing an increase in severity within a year prior to December 18, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- Aplastic anemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- A20019393
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A20019393.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied as the earliest effective date that can be assigned is June 3, 2021.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal. The claim for increased rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis was remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for aplastic anemia, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to environmental toxins during his service in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected aplastic anemia is denied. The earliest communication from the Veteran that can be reasonably interpreted as an informal or formal claim was received on March 31, 2011.
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